Vicodin Addiction

[sue]

I am embarrassed to admit that I am 42 years old and addicted to Vicodin ES - sometimes up to 10 tablets a day. It started over 5 years ago after a pinched nerve in my back.  I have since developed chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia although I am not sure if the addiction has brought on the problem.  Before that I worked out 6 days a week and taught aerobics.  My injury and subsequent problems brought on depression and low self esteem as well as weight gain and I found the Vicodin gave me a "euphoric feeling" and I could get through the day.  What I found amazing is that my doctor kept okaying my prescriptions.  I have tried many times to quit - sometimes as long as two weeks but the utter exhaustion and depression made it hard to keep going.  Through this I have managed a full time job and taking care of a teenager.  I am now afraid of the long term damage I may have done to my body.  I have started working out again with an attitude of "I'm going to do it this time."  My question is - how long can I expect to feel pretty tired and edgy, etc. from the withdrawl symptoms?  I have recently started Wellbrutrin for depression which seems to work fairly well and I have no side effects.  Your answers and encouragement will help...thanks.

[freelysurrendering]

Good morning .how are you doing today?I commend you on wanting to quit that is so great ..you have come to the right place . you will find so much support on this site. :) when I started taking pills I was taking them as  prescribed then next thing I knew I was taking them for everything (pain, walking ,talking, eating, sleeping ,)I could not function even 2 hours without them.I felt like I had discovered life's magic pill.but what I discovered was the devils magic pill...these things steel your life..is there someone you can confide in like a doctor remember everything you tell them is confidential...you can do this .....your life back....hang in there and keep posting ...

[proudworkingmomof3]

I am a single mother of 3. I have a decent job and a "normal" life but I have also been fighting an addiction to vicodin and percocet for years and years. Nobody at all knows and I want to be free from this addiction but if I reach out for help I believe I could lode my job, my kids, my family's respect. I have always kept it "under control" and only take them at night after my responsibilities have been met. I have found it gives me the energy to do all of the things I need to get done as a single mother. Without them I am depressed, anxious, etc. I was that way before I ever took them and it feels like they "fix what's broken" in my brain. I just want to stop. I don't want this to be part of who I am any more but I am scared and ashamed and don't know what to do. Just trying to find anonymous support. I wont go to AA or NA meetings. My ex goes to them and everyone knows everyone where I live. That wont work for me. I need an alternative. Help please.

[freelysurrendering]

Have you done this?I ask because I'm doing this exact taper and I am wondering how I will feel when I take my last 1/2 for three days how I will feel .

[EdBenson]

Taper off .... if ur taking eight a day, start by decreasing by 1/2 pill every two or three days until ur down to one a day then tey to stay on one to 1/2 for aw week or so.

If u try to just stop u will get violently sick ... very ugly.  I know, I've tried it before.

Ed

[Asia4321]

Im on my first 24 hrs of bn clean im been taking n e were from9 es at a time about 3x .a day which is up to 27 es aday. Noone knows but w oit tthem I cant function ove tried stopping sevrral times and weanin my self off never worked im   single mom np fam w 3 kids im already startin to withdrawl. I feel like I have restless leg syndrome I havw goosebumps nmy bones hurt im only 25 im pretty sure the diarrhea will *** tomorrow imscared bur I no I can do this plwase pray for me as I am doin thia by myself w our no help or support

[wantmylifeback395]

I'm not sure where to start here..I've never had to do thins nor ever think I needed help..But my story, which I'll try and keep it brief..is back about 15 years I too as many here was in a accident. And as some here was prescribed Vicodin for the pain..one thing led to another and BAM! one year, two years, three years..I was dependant on these little pills that I used them for everything..camping, going motorcycle riding..I pretty much timed myself on a schedule, watching the clock to take another pill and move on...I was pretty good at control as I never took more than 4 a day..but realized when I ran out that I needed to get more somehow..I went to Motrin for pain and for some reason i was able to take them, but they really didn't do anything..then I got a hold of more vicodin and dropped the Motrin..so now I'm back on track..daily activities went as planned as long as I had the pills..couple more years go by and ( remember I still have not taken more than 4 in a day and that was rare) I was pretty good at maintaining 2 750's, but then my prescript. ran out so I went back on the Motrin for the pain or withdrawal counter act and for some reason I ended up in the ER from an allergic reaction..not sure from what..last thing I took was a Motrin and three hours later..so no more Motrin and i was fine..got more vicodin..back issues, knee issues from surgeries, kept hurting myself doing something..but it was ok, as long as I had old VIC on my side i was ok with it..well , the doc said we need to get you off the VICODIN and gave me NORCO..I have tried to get off this stuff for 15 years..it has been easy to get..the doctors just kept giving it to me...I'm 40 and feel like I’m 60..could this be from the pills..Up until two days ago I was taking up to 3 Norco a day, but always so tired that I'm afraid I will fall asleep while driving..I feel that everything is caused from these pills, but at the same time I'm not sure..I keep telling the doctor that I have no energy, no motivation, depressed , serious fatigue and pains everywhere like i been standing for weeks..they keep doing all these blood tests and say. nope your fine..well I can assure you that I'm not fine..but yet they keep prescribing me the Norco..i finally saw a internal med doc. and she is like , how long you been taking this stuff? who is giving it to you? so she put her foot down , not even knowing me and I’m going to taper you off..well i said ok, like that’s going to work, she changed the dosage and qty down..so i took more, few months now I'm back to 3-4 a day, but just ran out..oh ya, even with less qty a month, i still managed to get them elsewhere..not important..I know that I can get another prescript. but I'm guessing it will be the last, and I'm thinking now is my chance to end this and get my life back..yesterday I had one in the am, last night sucked..today I'm not wanting to be here at work, Bad headache, pain everywhere..I'm usually a pretty dam strong willed person, but feeling like I’m going to crack..I don't know what to do..so many depend on me that I can't hide..How can i get past the withdrawals (that I believe I'm having) without anyone knowing?? any help would be greatly appreciated..I've read a few posts here and I'm glad to hear your success stories..but at the same time I read them, I'm saying to myself..even if I make it a week. I won't feel better, I'll still hurt everywhere even if the doctors are saying my back isn't that bad in a MRI, or my knee from two surgeries is not that bad..are all of these pains, depression, anxiety, lack of energy caused from taking these pills for so long and now catching up to me?? so much for brief